Millersville, Pa.—Students at Millersville University in Millersville, Pa., will soon have different housing choices. In May 2013, work will begin on a $180 million public/private partnership to build eight new residence halls for the school, which will eventually replace the current residence halls.

Student Services Inc. will own the new communities and the University will manage the properties. The new residence halls are developed by Ambling University Development Group.

Construction for the project will take place in phases so that there will never be a decrease in beds for the students. The development is expected to be completed in five years.

The new residence halls are being designed to encourage educational pursuits among the students.

“The programmatic elements are at the forefront of the design of the residence halls—meaning the design takes into account the notion that learning can occur and be encouraged outside of the classroom—throughout the building and in the adjacent outdoor areas,” Dr. Aminta Breaux, vice president of student affairs, tells MHN. “The design helps to facilitate learning and creates a sense of community by creating new living-learning environments that will allow our faculty, academic support and service departments to use the new spaces and literally meet our students where they are, and where they spend the bulk of their time on the campus.”

Amenities will include game rooms, larger study rooms with small conference-style rooms and a business center. There will also be a smart laundry facility, which will allow students to check availability, reserve machines and monitor the progress of the machines online. The community will also be wifi-accessible. And it will offer some green elements, according to Breaux.

“Our development team has incorporated a design that seeks to reduce energy consumption through the HVAC systems and building controls, lighting, interior finishes and window glazing and insulation options,” Breaux says.

The first two buildings that are being constructed, which are expected to be completed by August 2014, will include 185,000 square feet and 695 beds.

Additionally, a new parking lot with 350 spaces is being built to offset the loss of a 180-space parking lot to the construction site.

“This dynamic project is designed to have a long-term positive impact on the entire Millersville campus,” Breaux says. “The project demonstrates Millersville’s strong commitment to providing state-of-the-art housing for our students. Ultimately, it will aid the University in delivering a superior collegiate experience for decades to come.”